Unswtnd + Unfltrd

In Episode 18, Leah Vernon blessed us with her presence.  As a plus-size model, author, body-positive activist and Muslim feminist, Leah is creating a new narrative for women who don't fit into normalized beauty standards. We dive deep into Leah's childhood and the trauma she had endured, why she decided to embrace her body after a lifetime of shaming and the ways she deals with an influx of social media hate.  Whether it's through her eccentric outfits, documenting her bouts with mental health or sharing her dancing videos with her supporters, Leah is the breath of fresh air that you’ve been looking for on Instagram!

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Leah on Instagram: @lvernon2000
Check out her website: leahvernon.com
Scroll through her blog: beautyandthemuse.net
Pre-Order Leah’s book here:
Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim 
Coming out on October 15, 2019
http://www.leahvernon.com/unashamedleahvernonbook

Grab some tissues! In Episode 17, we talk to Mna Eldaas, who unfortunately lost her father to liver cancer in 2016. Coming from an extremely tight-knit family, Mna walks us through the pains, struggles and upsets she had experienced after his passing. In a completely vulnerable state, she explains her grieving process, why it's crucial to understand that grief is unique to each individual and the reason why finding a way to connect to those who we have lost is fundamental in order to heal. Through this heavy loss she has found a special way to honor her father by creating an Arab American platform called @themeemshop , which empowers us through humor.

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Mna Eldaas on Instagram: @mnaeldaas
Follow The Meem Shop on Instagram: @themeemshop
Beautify your home by purchasing an elegant, handcrafted Islamic art piece from Khitatii

In Episode 16, we sit down with Fawzieh Kahook, a mother of two beautiful boys. Fawzieh walks us through the first time she began noticing things about her younger son that set him from apart from his older brother. These little red flags set alarms off in her head, but seemed minimal to family and friends when she expressed her concerns. The toys he liked, not answering to his name and the way he avoided eye contact were all warning signs. Fawzieh explains why she decided to finally listen to her own gut instincts and get her son in front of a doctor. She walks us through the emotional rollercoaster of receiving the diagnosis and how she felt when she found out the news. Explaining to others, especially in our community, of her son's condition was not easy. Nonetheless, Fawzieh decided to learn all there is to know about his diagnosis and how she became a resource for other parents dealing with a similar situation.


Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered

In Episode 15, we are joined by an anonymous guest who takes us through the roller coaster ride that was her marriage. An unexpected pregnancy and already unsure of where her relationship stood, she discovers something truly unbelievable about her now ex-husband. Our guest walks us through her thought process on why she initially decided to stay and when she decided enough was enough. Wise beyond her years, she explains her healing process, the way she regained the strength to stand on her own two feet and the reason co-parenting is a necessity. This is an episode full of audible gasps and realizations. 

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered

In Episode 14, Shaymaa Ismaa’eel joins us to discuss her journey in connecting spiritually to her faith. Although, that journey varies from one person to the next, Shaymaa's approach to finding her place in Islam is truly inspirational. We also talk about what it's like to be visibly Muslim in today's political climate and how she deals with racism. We learn though that racism doesn't always come from outside of one's religious group and as a Black-Muslim, Shaymaa deals with this problem in different forms, including from within the Muslim community.

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Shaymaa on Instagram: @shaymaadarling 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode focuses primarily on eating disorders. If you feel the content discussed could be triggering, please either proceed with caution, or feel free to listen to any one of our previous episodes. 

In Episode 13, Adeline Ania Hocine takes us through her experience as an immigrant, how it led to the development of her eating disorder and the struggles she has faced as a Muslim woman learning to navigate her faith and her mental illness simultaneously. Adeline uses her writing, which has been featured in major publications such as Teen Vogue, to remove the stigma surrounding eating disorders, because she knows she is not alone. We also dive into her recovery process, how she has found peace in accepting her place in Islam and learning to put her health first. 

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Adeline: @Adelineania
Read Adeline's Teen Vogue article Here 

In Episode 12, we are joined by Faten Albanna, a teacher, photographer and mother of two who had suffered from Postpartum Depression. PPD is the most common pregnancy complication, with one in seven mothers experiencing it, but it is still highly stigmatized. Faten uses her personal experience to break down some of those stigmas as she discusses her journey through new motherhood, the signs of depression she initially ignored and the reason having a support system is crucial.

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Faten on Instagram: @fayespov
Mental Health Resource: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

In Episode 11, we celebrate our three month anniversary! Yes, three months despite what Zaina might have said - hey we never promised to be good at math lol! To commemorate this milestone we get a little personal by letting our walls down and by answering all of your questions regarding our personal lives. We talk about how we met and the ins and outs of the UNSWTND + UNFLTRD podcast. So please allow us to reintroduce ourselves - cue Jay Z’s voice!

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered

In Episode 10, we sit down with Youssra Kamel Kandil, a motivational speaker whose videos have gone viral by capturing the hearts of thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Youssra shares her thoughts on maintaining patience during hardships, keeping our faith strong even post-Ramadan, the importance of giving back and so much more. If you’ve felt a disconnect this Ramadan, then this episode is a must listen.

Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Youssra on Instagram: @YoussraKandil
Follow Youssra on Facebook: @Youssraka77
Follow Youssra on Youtube: @Youssraka

In Episode 9, we are joined by Isra Chaker, a civil rights activist, campaigns and advocacy expert, and public speaker. Isra walks us through her high school days and explains how the bullying she endured essentially influenced her decision to become an activist. We also talk about the Muslim Ban and how we can use our voices and platforms to fight for what's right, especially in the current political climate. If you're ready to feel enlightened, take a listen!
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Isra Chaker on Instagram: @israspeaks
Check out her site: www.israspeaks.com
United States Capitol switchboard:  (202) 224-3121